From Belfast to Glasgow: Family Time, Ferry Rides, and a Sausage Bap Stop

Our Belfast to Glasgow van life trip started with the Stena Line ferry, a layby sleepover, and the traditional David’s Snack Bar stop.

We’ve been a bit quiet on the travel front this week, but that doesn’t mean it’s been dull. The trip started with the Stena Line Ferry from Belfast to Cairnryan, followed by an unplanned overnight layby stay. Why? Because the main road north (A77) was closed for roadworks until 6am. If there’s one thing van life teaches you, it’s to just roll with it.

The Legendary David’s Snack Bar Stop

No trip through this part of Scotland is complete without pulling into David’s Snack Bar. It’s become a bit of a tradition for us — both on arrival and on the way back — to park up, grab a cappuccino and a sausage bap, and take in the view.

The car park (55.228027, -4.859263) offers a cracking shot of Ailsa Craig, which looks close enough to paddle to… but isn’t. There’s supposedly a castle out there too. Maybe one day I’ll get over to see it — helicopter license pending.

Glasgow Parking Strategy: Beat the 5pm Rush

We rolled north to Glasgow and managed to bag a street parking space outside my son’s place. Experience has taught us that if we don’t park up before 5pm, every spot within a mile radius gets swallowed up by returning commuters.

It’s been great catching up — we’ve also been over to see my daughter on the other side of the city. That visit included meeting her new boyfriend, seeing the granddaughters, and taking them on the all-important trip to the local Tesco in Petershill. The walk there passes a monster-sized hedge of blackberries, so by the time we get home, the kids look like they’ve been in a fruit fight.

Website Work and TikTok Tweaks

This week hasn’t been just family visits. I’ve been plugging away at updates for my website, while Kathy’s been growing her TikTok channel. She’s sharing more about her weight loss journey, and I’ve been quietly editing her posts in the background.

Apparently, I’m now part of the story too — I’ve lost 4 stone in 6 months on Mounjaro, sourced from MedExpress. Whether that earns me a guest spot on her videos is still up for debate.

Doggy Issues

Milo has been loving the new locations to expand his territory, casting his usual yellow sprinkle squirts on just about everything he passes. Even for the brief period he was allowed into my son’s house, he took ownership of the kitchen table as well as part of the living room rug. Can’t take your eye of him for a second, the wee shite. Lucky, however, this has been a whole new level of drama.

Left the dogs to go have lunch with my daughter Yasmin and her new boyfriend Freddy, upon our return, when we opened the door to the motorhome, Lucky almost knocked me over trying to escape. A usual sign she’s not been able to hold in whatever she was meant to hold in until it was safe to let it go. Sure enough, the dog bed, welcome mat and all parts in between were covered in the brown stuff. Joy.

With everything cleaned and sterilised, bed and mat deposited into the nearest bin (encased in 2 plastic bags), we set off to my daughter’s. After a few hours with her and the grandchildren, we returned to the van, and the same thing greeted us again. Lucky, barging past to get as far away from me as possible so as not to be told off, with Milo in tow.

Whilst cleaning the van, Milo had then decided now was the right time to go roll in some nearby poo, I guess the smell of it in the van wasn’t enough for him. Gingerly lifting him and showering him down wasn’t on the Tuesday night bingo card. Dogs hey? Who’d have ’em?

Next Stop: Inverness, John O’Groats and Beyond

Tomorrow kicks off the next leg of our travels. We’re heading to Inverness to meet up with Toni, Colum, Martin, and Jean for Toni’s 50th birthday celebration. The plan is to head right up to John O’Groats, so keep an eye on our Instagram page for photos from the road.

The Obligatory Affiliate Stuff

Gotta put fuel in the tank somehow. Remember, clicking on any of these links doesn’t cost you anything extra.

• Mounjaro Travel Case – Now, does it need to be refrigerated? The box says no, but hey, you do you.
• Cinnado Solar Security Camera – I swear by these cameras! They’re super easy to install and work off wifi!
• Dog Bed – Just big enough for your motorhome.